Published July 17, 2017, 10:00 PM By Myrna M.
Velasco
President Rodrigo R. Duterte is
requiring the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to submit
new guidelines on the approval and issuance of environmental compliance
certificates (ECCs) to energy projects of ‘national significance’ (EPNS) as
stipulated under the Executive Order No. 30 of Malacañang.
The environment department is
mandated to submit the EO-underpinning guidelines within 60 days from the
Presidential Order’s publication – reckoned from July 5 this year.
Under Section 8 of EO 30, it was
categorically stated that the approval of ECCs would be one of the policy
matters to be tackled within the ambit of the propounded Energy Investment Coordinating
Council (EICC) to be spearheaded by the Department of Energy.
According to Energy Undersecretary
Felix William Fuentebella, the EICC will be institutionalized by August 4 this
year – based on a timeframe prescribed by the EO.
But as far as issues and concerns
relating to the ECC approvals of energy projects, he noted that discussion with
DENR on the matter has yet to start – likely by month-end as targeted.
EO 30 has primarily stated that “the
procedures for the issuance of ECCs which may be required for EPNS (energy
projects of national significance) shall be among the matters to be discussed
within the EICC.”
It further noted that “in light of
such discussions, the DENR shall formulate guidelines on the issuance of such
ECCs consistent with the objectives and provisions of (the) Order.”
The guidelines, it was specified,
“shall be submitted to the Office of the President for approval within 60 days
from the effectivity of (the) Order.”
At this stage, there is no certainty
or categorical statements from concerned Executive departments yet if the ECC
approvals would eventually be integrated as function of the powerful EICC.
Several energy projects, including
big-ticket power plant development ventures, have been awaiting ECC approvals –
but with the recent issuance of EO 30, investors are now seeking clearer policy
directions from the government.
If the targeted streamlining of
energy project approvals and permitting processes could be done right and
efficiently operationalized, this will be a “major solution” to the
decades-long struggles of many investors in the country.
On the whole, it will also be a
landmark achievement of the Duterte administration – aside from it
cornering the billions of dollars of investments that could ensure the
country’s energy security agenda.
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